One-Hand Compression Garment with Stretch Gauge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compression garments are difficult to don, particularly for lower legs, as they require both hands and bending forward, making it laborious to apply the correct compression force.
Innovation Solution
A compression garment design featuring an elongated stretchable sleeve with a compression part and closing parts, including a gauge system that indicates proper stretch for compression force, allowing easy donning with one hand by using a cover that reveals the gauge when sufficient stretch is reached, and a continuous compression part for even pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compression garment is designed to provide proper compression force, then the compression function is improved, but the difficulty of donning the garment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression garment is divided into distinct functional segments: a compression part that provides compression force, a closing part that secures the garment, and a cover with window that indicates proper stretching. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, making the overall donning process easier while ensuring proper compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover with window acts as a feedback mechanism, visually indicating when the compression garment has been stretched sufficiently during donning. This feedback helps the user understand when to stop stretching, ensuring proper compression force is achieved without excessive effort or discomfort.
2Reliability
If both hands are used to don the compression garment, then the compression force can be properly applied, but the operation becomes laborious and requires bending forward
Solution Approach 1:
The compression garment is designed to be donned with one hand by utilizing the elastic properties of the material and the strategic placement of the closing part. The garment essentially serves itself by allowing the user to pull it on without requiring two hands to manipulate and secure it properly.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing part is pre-positioned on the compression garment in a way that allows it to be engaged automatically during the one-handed donning process. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex manual manipulation and bending forward that would be required if both hands were needed.
3Reliability
If the compression part is stretched to achieve proper compression, then the compression function is improved, but the user cannot easily determine when sufficient stretch has been reached
Solution Approach 1:
The cover with window provides visual feedback through a clear indicator (the window itself acting as a visual marker) that changes state when the compression garment is stretched sufficiently. This visual change makes it immediately apparent to the user when proper stretching has been achieved, eliminating uncertainty about the compression level.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and efficient donning of compression garments with one hand, preventing rotation of the sleeve during wrapping and ensuring consistent compression force application without excessive pressure from the sleeve itself, facilitating easier use compared to conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated stretchable sleeve (1) which is connected to a compression part (2)... The elongated stretchable sleeve is made of a material which can be stretched with little effort
Implementation Method 2
the compression part (2) provides a compression force to the body part and is fixable by the closing parts (3) in the wrapped around state to maintain the compression force
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4a~4d
Figure 5~7b
AI summary
A compression garment comprises a compression part, at least one closing part (3), a cover and at least one gauge (71, 72). The at least one gauge (71, 72) is applied to the at least one closing part (3) for indicating when a proper amount of compression force in the compression part has been reached, by indicating the amount of stretch of said at least one closing part. The cover (6) covers at least partly the at least one closing part (3), such that the at least one gauge (71, 72) is covered by the cover (6) if sufficient stretch has not been reached and is uncovered if sufficient stretch has been reached. Alternatively, the cover (6) comprises a window (73) such that the at least one gauge (71, 72) is covered by the cover (6) if sufficient stretch has not been reached and is visible in the window (73) if sufficient stretch has been reached, or is visible in the window (73) if sufficient stretch has not been reached and is covered if sufficient stretch has been reached.